mareógrafos

Mareógrafos, also known as tide gauges, are instruments used to measure the height of the sea at a specific location. These devices are crucial for understanding tidal patterns, monitoring sea level rise, and providing data for coastal engineering and navigation. Historically, mareógrafos were simple float-based systems where a float rose and fell with the tide, its movement recorded on a paper chart driven by a clockwork mechanism. Modern mareógrafos are typically electronic and can be categorized into several types. Pressure-based gauges measure the hydrostatic pressure of the water column above them, which is directly related to the water level. Acoustic or ultrasonic gauges emit sound pulses and measure the time it takes for them to return after reflecting off the water surface, thus determining the distance to the water. Radar gauges work similarly, using radio waves instead of sound. Satellite altimetry also provides a global view of sea level, complementing local measurements from mareógrafos. The data collected by mareógrafos are vital for scientific research, including climate change studies, as well as for practical applications such as predicting high tide times and heights for maritime operations and coastal management. Regular calibration and maintenance are essential to ensure the accuracy and reliability of mareógrafo readings.